Red River Valley water pipeline project has funding for another 25 to 30 miles

FARGO — Crews continue to lay pipe that will deliver Missouri River water to the Red River Valley as the pipeline is expected to extend another 25 to 30 miles in the coming two years.

As construction progresses, officials are working to calculate what the cost will be to water users — including residents of Fargo and Grand Forks — who will pay 25% of the project’s cost.

“I would say in weeks, not months, we should have pretty firm numbers for users,” said Duane DeKrey, general manager of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, which is overseeing the Red River Valley Water Supply Project.

The

$1.1 billion project

will use the McClusky Canal and 125 miles of pipeline that is 72 inches in diameter to deliver 165 cubic feet of water per second to the Red River to augment water supplies during periods of severe drought.

Given current funding commitments, the project remains on track for completion in nine years, by 2032, DeKrey said.

So far, workers have completed the water intake for the project near Washburn, north of Bismarck, and the pipeline outlet near Cooperstown that will empty water into the Sheyenne River, which joins the Red River near Harwood.

Construction of the pipeline has been concentrated near Carrington, where five miles of pipe have been laid, starting 10 miles east of Carrington.

About $244 million is available for building and designing the water project during the 2023-25 biennium, including carryover funds.

“It’s not all going for the pipeline, but by far the majority is,” DeKrey said. Money also is available for engineering studies for a water treatment plant. Missouri River water will be treated to remove tiny plants and animals before it enters the Red River to prevent the introduction of foreign species.

The $70 million treatment plant will be located before the water is transferred to the pipeline from the McClusky Canal, which takes water pumped from Lake Audubon, a sub reservoir of Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River.

The cities of Fargo and Grand Forks are reviewing their proposed portion of the project’s local cost share. Combined, Fargo, Cass Rural Water District, Grand Forks and East Grand Forks account for 84% of the pipeline’s customers, DeKrey said.

Once the reviews by Fargo and Grand Forks conclude, engineers will calculate monthly water users’ fees for the project.

“That’s still in discussion,” Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said. He expects rate figures should be ready in about six weeks, and the figure will depend upon whether the project is able to get some federal money.

Legislators have signaled their intent to ultimately provide a total of $953 million in state funding for the water supply project.

“The Red River Valley Water Supply Project is essential to serve the central and eastern side of our state during drought conditions,” Andrea Travnicek, director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, said in a statement. “We are proud to support sustainable and resilient water infrastructure like this project and others that put the Missouri River to beneficial use for our citizens, industry and overall economy.”

After languishing for decades as the now-defunct federally sponsored Garrison Diversion Project, the state took over what became the Red River Water Supply Project nine or 10 years ago.

“After sitting basically idle for a lot of years things seem to really be moving,” DeKrey said.

In the coming weeks and months, Garrison Diversion officials will be setting up informational meetings with local water users.

Patrick Springer first joined The Forum in 1985. He covers a wide range of subjects including health care, energy and population trends. Email address: pspringer@forumcomm.com
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